Behind the scenes at Shakespeare in the Grove

Tidewater Community College’s Shakespeare in the Grove is considered a community gem by many.

In the 26 years the show has been running, attending has become a tradition for families from all over the region. Ed Palmer, a veteran actor, says that the tradition is not only special for families but actors as well. Over his 17 years with the production, he has seen the same families in the audience each year and has had the opportunity to see children grow up as they attend the event and learn to love theater.

Autumn Ibanez (Mariane), Ed Palmer (Dorine) and Robert Torres (Valere) rehearsing on the Grove stage.

Shakespeare in the Grove is also a fan favorite due to the unique appeal of outdoor theater. In an outdoor setting, the audience can be comfortable and relax while enjoying the play. Guests are encouraged to bring picnic blankets and lawn chairs as well as their favorite picnic dinner. This event is free and family members of all ages are sure to enjoy it.

The Grove production is presented by TCC Theatre and the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission and marks the start of summer.

This year’s production of Shakespeare in the Grove is “Tartuffe” by the French playwright, Moliere. Tartuffe is a captivating story about fraud and betrayal. The classic plays that TCC Theater performs have something in them for everyone. Palmer explains, “These plays are timeless because they are about the human condition. Everyone can relate to the themes of love and loss.”

Ed Palmer (Dorine) and James Manno (Tartuffe) celebrate after perfecting a scene.

Shakespeare in the Grove is as special to the actors as it is to the audience. Many of the actors return year after year and create a close-knit community as they prepare to, once again, bring live theatre to Chesapeake. Veteran actor, Autumn Ibanez, says that she “continues to come back to Shakespeare in the Grove because the actors are so supportive, and it makes for a great learning experience.”

Assistant Director, Michelle Jenkins, agrees that being involved in the production is an amazing opportunity to learn from experts. Whether on stage or behind the scenes, the cast and crew work side-by-side with theater professionals. Many of whom have been working on Shakespeare in the Grove for over a decade.

Cassandra Dean (Cleante) and Cristina Rose (Orgon) practice their craft during their first outdoor rehearsal.

When asked what advice these veteran actors would give to people interested in joining the production for the first time, all three said, “Do it.” They encourage anyone with a passion for theater to overcome the intimidation and get involved. Based on the support system found in the cast and crew, new actors will find a welcoming environment.

Join TCC Theatre for this year’s production on June 21-25 at 8 p.m. on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road. For more information, reach out to Matthew Gorris at Mgorris@tcc.edu. Gorris is TCC Theatre’s faculty lead and this year’s Grove director.

Small town charm on tap for TCC’s spring production of “Steel Magnolias”

Tidewater Community College Theatre will present “Steel Magnolias” for three weekends in April. Opening night is on April 13 with shows running through April 29.

All performances will be held in the Black Box Theater in the Academic Building on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road.

“Steel Magnolias” is a stage play by American writer Robert Harling. It is a comedy-drama about the bond among a group of Southern women in northwest Louisiana. The title suggests the female characters are as delicate as magnolias but as tough as steel.

Lisa Kearns playing M’Lynn and Sydney Powell as Annelle.

TCC Theatre’s “Steel Magnolias” is set in a small-town beauty shop on the wedding day of one of its favorite patrons, Shelby Eatenton.

Shelby, a young and pretty diabetic, enjoys sharing her excitement with the other woman who meet regularly to chat and gossip about men, marriage and the latest hairstyles. The women form a sense of community that is both warmly good-natured and delightfully real.

Performance dates and times are:

April 13-15 at 7:30 p.m.
April 16 at 2 p.m.
April 20-22 at 7:30 p.m.
April 23 at 2 p.m.
April 27-29 at 7:30 p.m.

The play is a community effort with TCC students and community members serving as cast and crew. All are dedicated to sharing live theatre with attendees.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students, seniors, alumni and military members. Payment is by cash or credit card at the door. The box office opens 45 minutes prior to show time. To purchase tickets online, visit https://tidewater.universitytickets.com.

For more information, call Matthew Gorris, assistant professor of Theatre Arts, at 757-822-5219.

Calling all actors

It’s time to get ready for Shakespeare in the Grove.

Tidewater Community College and the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission are presenting Shakespeare’s “Tartuffe” and open auditions are available for cast members.

Actors who would like to be part of the summer festival can attend:

Auditions – Saturday, April 8 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre in the Academic Building on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road.

Callbacks (if needed): will take place on Saturday, April 15 from 10 a.m. – noon. in the Black Box Theatre in the Academic Building on Chesapeake Campus.

The story of “Tartuffe:” The play takes place in the home of the wealthy Orgon, where Tartuffe—a fraud and a pious imposter—has insinuated himself. He succeeds magnificently in winning the respect and devotion of the head of the house and then tries to marry his daughter and seduce his wife and scrounge the deed to the property. He nearly gets away with it, but an emissary from King Louis XIV arrives in time to recover the property, free Monsieur Orgon, and haul Tartuffe off to jail. And so his duplicity is finally exposed and punished. But not before the author has mercilessly examined the evil that men can commit in the guise of religious fervor and the dangers that imperil those who would believe only what they choose to believe despite a mountain of evidence to the contrary.

Cast and Preparation: Twelve roles are open to all genders and ethnicity. Please prepare a 1–2-minute monologue that shows your range. The monologue does not need to be from “Tartuffe” and please no accents.

Rehearsals and Show Information: A read-through will be held on Thursday, May 4 from 7 – 10 p.m. Rehearsals begin Monday, May 8 from 7 – 10 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre. Rehearsals are tentatively scheduled from May 8 – June 20, Monday – Thursday from 7-10 p.m.

Production Dates: Shakespeare in the Grove and the story of “Tartuffe” will be presented Wednesday, June 21 – Sunday, June 25 at 8 p.m., weather permitting.

This is an open call, so come anytime between 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on April 8, and showcase your talents. If you have any additional questions, please contact Matthew Gorris at mgorris@tcc.edu.

TCC Theatre presents “Leaving Iowa,” a story of going home and moving forward

Tidewater Community College Theatre will present “Leaving Iowa” for two weekends in November. Opening night is on Nov. 3 with shows running through Nov. 12.

All performances will be held in the Black Box Theater in the Academic Building on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road.

“Leaving Iowa” revolves around Don Browning, a middle-aged writer, who returns home and decides to finally take his father’s ashes to his childhood home, as requested. But when Don discovers Grandma’s house is now a grocery store, he begins traveling across Iowa searching for a proper resting place for his father.

This father-and-son road trip in “Leaving Iowa” shifts smoothly from the present to Don’s memories of the annual, torturous vacations of his childhood. Don’s existential journey leads him to reconcile his past and present at the center of the United States. “Leaving Iowa” is a postcard to those who have ever found themselves driving alone on a road, revisiting fond memories of their youth.

Performance dates and times are:

Nov. 3-5 at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 6 at 2 p.m.

Nov. 10-12 at 7:30 p.m.

The play is a community effort with TCC students and community members serving as cast and crew. All are dedicated to sharing live theatre with attendees.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, seniors, alumni and military members. Payment is by cash or credit card at the door. The box office opens 45 minutes prior to show time.

To purchase tickets online, visit https://tidewater.universitytickets.com.

For more information, call Matthew Gorris, assistant professor of theatre arts, at 757-822-5219.